Illegal logging: 1,105 cases recorded in 2023 in Georgia

The Georgian National Forestry Agency on Monday said 1,105 cases of illegal logging and timber transportation were registered in Georgia in 2023.

The body added up to 1,500 cubic metres of illegally harvested timber were seized by relevant state agencies.

Unregistered sawmills are also among violators of the law. Violations that contained signs of criminal offences were forwarded to the relevant agencies for further action”, the Agency said.

• Nine illegal sawmills identified in western Imereti, Samegrelo regions

The figures also show 31 cases of violation of technical regulations at sawmills, and three unregistered sawmills seized by the Environmental Supervision Department of the body.

Kakha Kakabadze, the Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture, said implementation of “effective state control” on use of natural resources, and detection and prevention of illegal use, was “one of the main priorities” of the Ministry.